Why the Government’s Disability Strategy needs more input from employers

The Australian Government recently sought feedback about Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 which outlines their plan to improve the lives of people with disability.

Australian Disability Network put forward a submission calling for greater consultation with employers.  Many of our 460-member organisations are having great success creating more inclusive workplaces which remove employment barriers for people with disability.

However, we are concerned that the Strategy has not sought sufficient input from Australia’s largest employers and the private sector.

The Disability Royal Commission’s final report clearly shows we need significant change, greater action, and concrete goals to address the entrenched employment gap between people with disability and those without disability. Without the “buy-in” from employers it is unlikely this employment gap will be rectified.

Some of our recommendations include:

• Introducing voluntary and publicly-declared targets for the appointment of people with disability on public sector boards and government committees.

• Setting up an advisory panel of employers that can inform the government and the business community about what initiatives and strategies are working, what barriers are preventing progress, and sharing solutions that can be replicated by other employers.

• A whole of government approach to remove employment barriers, with consistent applications of affirmative measures, inclusive recruitment practices, and workplace adjustment practices. We encourage all levels of government to model inclusive behaviour by regularly measuring and reporting their progress toward creating an inclusive workplace.

The underrepresentation of people with disability in the workforce is due to deeply entrenched ideologies and practices that must be critically analysed and addressed through long-term systemic change.

Systemic change cannot be achieved without extensive consultation and support from the gatekeepers of our workforces – Australian employers.